Bank robber exposed by exploding trousers

A bank robber who made off with a wad of cash from an Orlando bank last Friday had his collar felt after his trousers exploded as he attempted to make good his escape, the Orlando Sentinel reports.

Kenneth Ray Brooks marched into Centura Bank and declared: "I'm holding down the joint," police reports record. He then "stuffed a stack of bills into his waistband and pushed the money down out of view", and quickly exited the scene tailed by a bank employee.

Sadly, Brooks didn't get far before a dye-pack concealed in the loot exploded. Police spokeswoman Sgt. Barbara Jones explained: "Witnesses said they could see smoke coming out of his pants." Officers attending the scene quickly identified the perp by "his discomfort and bright red dye on both hands".

Brooks, identified by bank employees and CCTV footage of the blag, was taken to police headquarters for questioning and later "walked very slowly to a waiting ambulance with the help of police officers and firefighters". He then enjoyed a trip to the local hospital "as a result of possible burning injuries to his person".

Brooks has been charged with robbery, but that's not his most immediate concern. Police told the Orlando Sentinel that only the FBI could advise on the best method for removing the dye from Brook's hands and "lower torso". ®

Bootnote

Our informant Mike Richards failed to find an IT angle to this particular tale of woe, but quite reasonably asked: "Could you ignore a story that begins: 'The crotch of Kenneth Ray Brooks' pants exploded Friday afternoon.'?" Evidently not.